Panoramic elasticity ultrasound imaging

A method for elasticity ultrasound imaging, the method comprising:

• acquiring first elasticity data with ultrasound for a first region corresponding to a first position of a transducer, the first elasticity data representing tissue stiffness in the first region derived from first axial motion between a first group of at least two frames of data;
• moving the transducer from the first position to a second position, displacing a location in which to acquire elasticity data;
• acquiring second elasticity data with ultrasound for a second region corresponding to the second position of the transducer, the second position and second region different than the first position and first region due to the moving, respectively, the second elasticity data representing tissue stiffness in the second region and derived from second axial motion between a second group of at least two frames of data;
• distinguishing with a processor between moving the transducer in a general lateral direction from the first position to the second position and moving the transducer in a general axial direction for acquiring the first or second elasticity data;
• updating the dynamic range of at least the first elasticity data;
• and
• generating an image representing both first and second regions, the image being a function of the first and second elasticity data.